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By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

So far in 2021, 11 cases of hantavirus have been registered in Panama, of which 6 cases have been classified as Cardiopulmonary Syndrome due to Hantavirus (SCPH) and 5 cases as hantavirus fever (FH), reported the Department of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health.

Deer mouse/CDC

The regions that have been affected by the hanta virus have been the district of Tonosí, Los Santos province, which report 3 cases, 1 case is registered in Parita, Herrera province, 1 case in Chepo, Panama East region.

At the same time, the first death in 2021 due to this condition was registered among the cases. This is a male person from the Aguadulce district, Coclé province.

The report also details that, of these 6 cases of SCPH, 3 correspond to both males and 3 for females, in an age range between 18-55 years.

Of the 5 cases that have been classified as hantavirus fever (HF),) 4 cases come from the Tonosí district, Los Santos province and 1 case from Soná, Veraguas. The 5 cases are male, in an age range of 19 to 80 years.

Hantavirus is a serious acute viral disease caused by the Hantavirus. Cases of hantavirus infection in humans generally occur in rural areas (fields, farms, etc.), where rodents can be found harboring the virus, but transmission in urban areas is also possible. Infected people may experience headaches, dizziness, chills, fever and myalgia, according to data provided on the website of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The Ministry of Health (MINSA), committed to the health of the Panamanian population, intensifies surveillance in the different points affected by hantavirus, at the same time it calls on people to maintain cleanliness in their homes and eliminate elements that may attract rodents near them. The entity reports that this virus is acquired by inhalation of excrement, urine and saliva of infected rodents.

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